The Telegraph, 10th September 2024
Labour is about to hand a grotesque new victory to the terrorists (telegraph.co.uk)
For the UK to recognise Palestinian statehood at this moment would be a grave mistake
"My sweet boy, we tried so desperately to save you.” These heartbreaking words, from the mother of 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, reverberated through the crowd of mourners in Jerusalem. Last week, Hersh was one of the six hostages murdered by Hamas. His mother spoke on behalf of her family, but also for the millions of people around the world praying for the hostages to be released.
As we approach the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, pain and tragedy have become the norm. The Israelis have fought to defend themselves against the death cult of Hamas and have significantly degraded the terrorists. But while the military strategy appears to be paying off, Israel is fighting a “PR war” against militant misinformation and anti-Semitism.
Israel is literally in a fight for its survival, and yet is depicted as the oppressor thanks to institutional capture and the moral cowardice of some of our leaders. Yes, I’m talking about our government. Labour has prevaricated at best and been hostile at worst towards Israel in the past 11 months. Too weak and scared to stand up to the extremists and militants in his party, Keir Starmer has taken the easy way out: appeasement.
This can be the only conclusion after the pattern of abandonment since Labour came to power. First, it wasted no time in restoring funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). In doing so, David Lammy ignored the evidence of UNRWA-run schools spreading anti-Semitism and violence, its workers being complicit in the October 7 attacks, and its facilities being used by Hamas. Of course we should support more aid in Gaza, but not if UK taxpayer cash is fuelling terrorism.
Second, Labour dropped the Conservatives’ plan to challenge the International Criminal Court’s application for arrest warrants for Israeli ministers. International fora are being politicised against Israel and this government is facilitating this perversion of the rule of law. This latest example of lawfare against Israel is vexatious and unfounded. But Starmer has turned a blind eye to the facts. All for an easy life with his sectarian backbenchers.
Lastly, Lammy abandoned Israel at a crucial juncture by suspending certain arms export licences. Spun as a legal obligation but in truth a political choice, this Labour government has harmed our relationship with an ally on which we depend for crucial intelligence and support.
Of course we hear the sentiments of regret from the Labour frontbench. But actions speak louder than words. We should prepare ourselves for the next step in Labour’s anti-Israel policy: recognition of Palestine. This is a manifesto commitment and far-Left Labour MPs have called for it urgently.
Just like the useful idiots in the Irish, Norwegian and Spanish governments, I fear that our pathetic leaders here will follow suit. Doing so any time before hostages are released and Israel’s security can be guaranteed would be a victory for terrorism. Yes, a two-state solution is the ideal but several preconditions must be met: the elimination of the Islamist extremism which surrounds Israel; neutralisation of Iranian aggression; and a viable plan for a legitimate and democratic administration of Palestine. We are years away from any of this and yet, to placate Islamists and hardliners, I fear Starmer will further abandon Israel.
On my recent visit to Israel’s border with Lebanon, I went to Kiryat Shemona, once a thriving city and now an eerie ghost town in the shadow of Hezbollah rockets. I met displaced families in Kibbutz Sde Nehemia and spoke with soldiers stationed near the Blue Line. Israel is in a fight for survival along its southern border, but is facing attack across its northern border, too. This Labour government must stand with our ally, not abandon it for an easy life.
